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Prayers for the Candidates (Holy Baptism Liturgy, Book of Common Prayer)
Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
I renounce them.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
I do.
Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
I do.
Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
I do.
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Matthew 6: 7-15 (New Revised Standard Version)
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then in this way;
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.”
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.
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Morning Prayer 2: Forgiveness of Sins (Book of Common Prayer p. 80)
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
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After reading, write a synopsis of the text in your own words. Post this synopsis in the "comments" section. Read and discuss other posted synopses.
- What is the major theme of the passage that is expressed in each synopsis? What are the individual concerns that are expressed in each synopsis?
- What new possibilities does the passage open for me? For us?
- If I were to take seriously the words of my own synopsis, what would that mean for me? For us?
7 comments:
It is very comforting to know that God knows what we want before we pray for it. There He is just waiting for us to pray and to listen to His voice. Lent should certainly be a time in which I allow for more quiet time. This is a good beginning.
Pray not to gloat or to be pompous but pray for grace and forgiveness.
God already knows what I need, so why should I pray? To ask for my basic, daily needs, for forgiveness and for protection from evil. Such a pray can, if I will let it, keep me focused on what is important in life.
Interesting this reading is directly from the same scripture, as Ash Wed reading, the part "skipped. There we were told what not to do, and it continues here, with a positive what to do following.
Don't just give lip service to your prayers, be honest and remember our hearts are open and He does know what we need even when we don't. SO in our prayers the focus is who God is to us, Father, provider, gift giver. Am I accepting His gift today, or take it for granted as well of course the sun came up, I'm breathing...
Ask for the necessities, not the excesses, petition, the squeaky wheel, but is it a noisy gong, or in His will today? Forgiveness of others, so that I may receive the same forgiveness from the Father. Not always as easy as I want it to be, a work in progress (like me).
How do I forgive "C" cancer? Yet I must not let the anger at IT get in the way of God's child with C.
God doesn't need to practice praying. We do. I don't believe we can ever pray enough nor do I think it matters what we pray for or how we pray. God knows what we need and what we pray for. We just need to keep the prayer line open and use it as often as possible.
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